Nick Kyrgios accepts one-month suspension for cocaine use

Nick Kyrgios, of Australia (AP Photo)

Nick Kyrgios has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine at a tournament in Spain in June, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Thursday. The 31-year-old Australian had been provisionally suspended since August 4, although the development was only made public more than two weeks later. According to the ITIA, Kyrgios told investigators that he had used cocaine socially during a night out before he was scheduled to compete in Mallorca. After consulting an expert from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), he accepted that the substance had been used outside of competition. Under WADA's rules, the default suspension for such an offence is three months. However, the ban can be reduced to one month if the player completes a treatment programme. The ITIA said Kyrgios' suspension expires on Thursday, subject to him completing the required programme.

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The Australian will also lose the prize money and ranking points he earned at the Mallorca tournament. Kyrgios was beaten in his only match there by fellow Australian Adam Walton. The latest setback adds to a difficult period for Kyrgios, who has featured in just four ATP singles matches this year. The 31-year-old is currently ranked 918th in the world. Kyrgios enjoyed the biggest run of his career at Wimbledon in 2022, reaching the final before losing to Novak Djokovic.

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